Market: Courthouses

ATLANTA, GA—The U.S. General Services Administration today unveiled design renderings for the new federal courthouse in Huntsville, Alabama, in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Soon to be a prominent feature in Huntsville’s historic downtown, the three-story courthouse with a walkout basement will include five courtrooms and six judges’ chambers, as well as workspace for the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the U.S Probation and Pretrial Services.

The new courthouse’s design is neoclassical in style, with a large pedimented entry portico flanked by gently arcing symmetrical wings. The design incorporates modern security, sustainability and technological features necessary for a 21st-century federal courthouse, while integrating classical organizational, proportional and design elements. In addition, the design features a large formal public lawn with symmetrical plantings that will help both to create a sense of space and to focus the eye towards nearby panoramic views.

“GSA is excited to give the people of Huntsville a glimpse into what their future downtown will look like through this courthouse design,” said Kevin Kerns, Regional Commissioner for GSA’s Public Buildings Service Southeast Sunbelt Region. “GSA strives to provide a state-of-the-art facility that meets the long-term workspace and security needs of our partners in the Northern District of Alabama.”

With an authorized budget of nearly $86 million, construction of the 123,000 square-foot courthouse is anticipated to begin in early 2022 and will take approximately 30 months to complete. The 5-acre property sits at the intersection of Lowe Avenue and Gallatin Street. Steve White of Fentress Architects in Washington, D.C., is the project’s lead designer, and Lee Sims of Studio Scarab Architecture Interiors Planning in Montgomery, Alabama, serves as the courthouse designer. Payne Design Group Architects of Montgomery is providing bridging architectural services.

In addition to the new Huntsville courthouse, construction also continues on a new federal courthouse in Anniston, Alabama. Work on the 63,000 square-foot facility is anticipated to be complete by fall 2021.

OLATHE, KS—On Thursday, January 7th, Fentress Architects joined the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, County Manager’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, District Courts, and the Facilities Management Department to virtually celebrate the completion of the new Johnson County Courthouse with an online ceremony including remarks and a virtual tour.

“It [Johnson County Courthouse] stands proudly, ready to fulfill its mission,” said Chief Justice Marla Luckert, Kansas Supreme Court, during the ceremony. “Its beautiful design creates an image that conveys and reflects a sense of the importance of the judicial process and the values of the judicial system—openness and fairness. Its designs and its features project an ideal of efficiency and effectiveness. Indeed, its structure and its flow will allow the judicial process to move forward in a secure and productive manner. The public will find a structure that eases access to offices and courtrooms. And the legal community, judicial officers, and court staff will find a facility adaptable to changing needs, demands, and the future growth of the community and its legal proceedings.”

The new 356,831-square-foot courthouse achieved substantial completion in August 2020 when it replaced the existing courthouse with a distinct, memorable, and efficient structure. Serving as an enduring icon for the community, the courthouse responds to the County’s needs to create a “building that reflects the significance of the justice system in our society and will serve [Johnson County’s] community for generations to come.”

Congratulations to our partners—Johnson County, JE Dunn, and TreanorHL—for completing this iconic courthouse in record time, remaining on schedule and on budget.

BUILDING FEATURES

• Ribbon Wall: Curving Kansas-limestone wall that signifies the main entrance to the building and welcomes visitors to the site.
• Lobby: An open, accessible design contributes to the transparency in government by making public functions visible to visitors from both the first and second floors. This unique program element was designed to provide visual connection and quick access to the most-frequently used public spaces.
• Courtrooms: Twenty-eight total courtrooms including Criminal, Civil, Juvenile, CINC, Family, Probate, Traffic and Small Claims Courts; and Hearing Rooms. Separate circulation paths access each courtroom from a public entrance, staff and jury entrance, and entrance from a holding area with secure elevator to basement holding areas. Accessibility features include ramps to raised bench and witness areas, and height-adjustable judge bench and podium.
• Technology and Flexibility: Technology and flexibility played important roles in the design process. All courtrooms are designed to be flexible, with the ability to change to a different courtroom type as needs arise. The well area of each courtroom utilizes raised access flooring, enabling courtroom configurations to change and technology to upgrade. The third level houses the District Attorney offices and was designed to become an additional court floor when future growth is required.
• District Attorney: The third level is entirely dedicated to the District Attorney office and features open workspaces with access to natural daylight. The reception area was designed to be a modern welcoming and calming space, anticipating visitation by victims and witnesses. Collaboration and meeting spaces are scattered throughout the floor.
• Jury Areas: Creating a welcoming and enjoyable jury experience was important to the design of the project. The main lobby features direct access to the Jury Assembly space. This space connects to the community room which features a variety of seating options and an outdoor terrace. The jury deliberation suites feature floor-to-floor glass with access to natural daylight and views.
• Sheriff and Security Areas: The main lobby is designed to be secure but also welcoming. Glass walls provide separation and security but allow for visual transparency. The building features a sheriff suite with a private stair connecting the basement and level 1 areas. The basement features direct vehicle access for in-custody transfers, as well as an underground tunnel that connects the courthouse to the County Jail. The basement holding areas are connected to secure elevators for private transfer of prisoners to temporary holding areas between each courtroom. The building has a fifty-foot stand-off around the site.